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(No Model.) 3' Sheets-Sheet 1.

- E. F. FALCONNET VESSEL FORABRIAL NAVIGATION.

. Patented Feb. 17, 1885.-

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

E. P. FALGONNET.

VESSEL FOB AERIAL NAVIGATION.

,844. Patented Feb. 17, 1885.

N FEIEWS. Phololilhognphor. Washing) (N0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3; E. F.PALGONNET;

VESSEL FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION.-

f Jam Uivrrnn Srarns W of v EUGENE F. FALOONNET, OF NASHVILLE,TENNESSEE.

VESSEL FOR-AERIAL NAVIGATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 312,34 dated February1'7, 1885.

Renewed November 19. .884.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE F. FALOONNET, a citizen of the United States,residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vessels for AerialNavigation, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings. I

My invention relates to certain newand useful improvements in handlingand steering that class of vessels for aerial navigation that aredesigned to be propelled, steered, and handled by propulsive machineryarranged within the vessel through appliances externally adjusted; andit consists in securing at intervals to the sides of such vessels, foreand aft, sets of adjustable fans arranged opposite to each other, andconstructed to be opened and closed, likea fan, by mechanical appliancesarranged within the hull; also, in attaching such fans to proti'iberances formed on the bul kheads or frame of the vessel or to theends of shafts or beams extending from within out through the sides ofthe vessel, and in connecting the movable blades of the fan withmachinery within the vessel by cables or chains employed for opening andclosing the fans; also, in the employment of adjustable fans which openand close like a fan and pro trude from the sides of aerial vessels toassist in steering and guiding such vessels in their lateral course;also, in adapting such fans to the purposes of sails when thewind-currents are fair; also, in the method of connecting and handlingsuch fans.

It also consists in attaching to aerial ves- Sels long fin-shapedrudders secured fore and aft or at one end only, for steering suchvessels; also, in the manner of mounting and handling suchsteering-fins; also, the method of laterally steering such vessels bytin-shaped rudders secured at the ends on the under side;

It also consists in the method of steering aerial vessels through thecombined action of steering-fins adjusted under the vessel, andadjustable fans arranged and secured along its sides.

Figure 1 is the side elevation of a complete aerial ship, showing thegas-field, vertical and lateral supporting bulk-heads, longitudinalsupporting chords, hull, protruding cabin,

] side propelling-screws, end propelling and steering screws, fins fordeflecting the flight Vertically, central raising and loweringscrew,side adjustable fans, and under steering-fins. Fig. 2 is a verticalcross-section of the same, showing thcbulk-heads and bracings, theopposite protruding fansone open and the other closed-and one mode ofconnecting and handling the same; also, side propelling-screws carriedat the intersections of a projecting frame, the raising and loweringcentral screw protruded. Fig. 3 is the elevation of a fragment of thesame ship, showing a portion of the gasfield and of the hull, one endscrew, the bearings for and mountings of one side propelling-screw, theside fan closed in elevation, longitudinal supporting-cables, pulleys,and cables for handling the same. Fig. 4 is a side elevation and plan ofthe finshaped rudder and steering device, showing the supporting frameand ways, the trucks or trundlers on the end of the n'n,'tl1e cable orsteering-chains, pulleys, drum, and wheel. 7 Fig. 5 is a plan of avessel, looking up from the bottom, showing the fin-shaped rudder, itssupporting-frame, pulleys, and steering-cables. Fig. 6 is an endelevation of the ship, showing the protruding frame for supporting thetin-shaped rudder. Fig. 7 is a fragment of the frame of the tinshapedrudder, showing wheels on the ends thereof. Fig. Sis an enlarged detailofa modification of a side fan mounted on a protruding shaft, showingthe fan and its shaft, the knuckle-joint by which it is secured, and thecables by which it is handled. Fig. 9 is a modification of the same,carried on a revolving shaft having branching arms through which thecable is carried to the interior of the vessel. Fig. 10 is alongitudinalfragment of the hull, showing an end screw mounted in a bracket andmovable carriage, showing also the impelling shaft and-universal joint.Fig. 11 is an elevation of a fragment, showing the movable carriage forthe end screw, its ways, and gear for changing its position.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is a number of gas-receptacles, called by me the gas-field, whichgives buoyancy to the ship.

a a, 850., are uprightbulk-heads, rising from the hull to the diameterof the gas-field at ICC intervals from stem to stern, furnishing thevertical and lateral supports of the vessel as well as seats for thegas-field.

a a a are longitudinal bracing-chords, secured by the ends in the nodes,fore and aft, and which, passing longitudinally over the vessel, arefastened at theirintersections with the bulk-heads w.

B is the vessels hull, built sharp fore and aft, constructed on onegeneral metal frame, and internally divid'ed into decks and compartmentsfor business and living, andinclosed with suitable material.

B is a cabin forming part of, but protruding part of its depth below,the hull, where it is supported by a suitable metal frame, and inclosedwith suitable material, and provided with doors, windows, and othermeans of lighting and ventilating, as well as outlooks. The cabin isdivided internally into the usual living-apartments.

b b are fins arranged at intervals along the side of the vessel on bothsides of the hull. The fins b may be made to open and shut like a fan,or be made rigid like an open fan, and may be constructed of ribssecured at one end by a knuckle-joint, or in any other feasible mannerto a revolving shaft, 1/, which is journaled in the side of the vessel,and geared to suitable machinery within the hull, and covered with anysuitable flexible material. The fins b may be set at any desired anglefor deflecting the course of the vessel'upward or downward at anincline.

c are side screws for impelling the vessel longitudinally, mounted insuitable projections protruding at intervals from the side of the hull,and actuated on their axis by machinery arranged within the vesselthrough connectinggear.

d is a vertical screw, mounted in a movable carriage adjusted in a wellpassing upward through the bottom into the hull, and connected bysuitable gearings with propulsive machinery within the vessel. Thecentral screw, (Z, and its connecting machinery is designed for raisingand lowering the vessel ver tically, and may be housed by drawing it upinto a well provided in the vessel for the purpose, or by lowering downabout it a sheltering-box handled by machinery within the hull.

are end screws, mounted on longitudinal shafts f, secured in brackets fand carried through the end into within the hull, where itis geared withpropulsive machinery. The.

screws f are employed to propel the vessel forward, and, when obdurateand it fails to obey the tiller, to aid in steering. To this end the endscrews are mounted in sliding ways or carriage p, in the ends of thehull and connected by universal joints, through which means, by throwingthe carriage to the right or left the end screws are made to travel inthat direction and throw that end of the vessel around, so by throwingthe end screws in opposite directions and causing them to revolve in acourse opposite to each other, the

I vessel can be turned as on a pivot. See Figs. and 11, in which B isthe hull, f is the end screw, andf the impelling-shaft; f", theuniversal joint. f is a supporting-bracket, and p is a movable carriage,provided on the edges with a racked gear, 11 'v, by which, throughpinions p p, it is moved in its seat, also provided with tongues 12 o,by which it is adjusted and supported in its ways o 0, in a suitableaperture, q, in the end of the hull. Within the movable carriage p is ajournal-boxing, w, in which the axle-shaft f takes bearing and revolves.The pinions 1) may be actuated by any suitable mechanical contrivance.

The several screws 0, d, and f, are constructed with the most efficientwind for rapid travel, on a light substantial frame covered with anysuitable material, and of dimensions best suited to serve the purposefor which they are employed.

0 is an adjustable fan, constructed on a frame of flat ribs, 6, securedat one end by a knuckle or other suitable joint, 6, to a shaft, 6passing out through the side of the bull, or to stationary protuberanceson the side of the hull or the vertical ribs or peripery of thebulk-heads a. The ribs 0 ofthe fan 0 are covered by any suitablematerial to resemble a web, and are secured together by chains, cables,or other suitable ties passing through the same. The fan 0, moving onthe knucklejoint 6, opens and closes like a fan, and is handled bycables or chains 0, carried over pulley-wheelsg to within the vessel towinches g, operated by any suitable mechanical contrivance.

In lieu of the fan secured to stationary points, it is obvious that fan0 may be secured by knuckle, multiple, or other suitablejoint, to arevolving shaft, k, passing from within the vessel out through the hullB, having seats in journal-boxings 7c therein, and provided withbranching arms 70, having pulleywheels 1" r therein internally arranged.

In the modification of the fan-connection shown in Fig. 9, the cable orchain c, by which the fan is operated, is carried over pulleys 1' in theouter end or mouth of each branching arm k and a pulley 1' arrangedwithin at the juncture of the two arms 76 with, the main shaft is, whichlatter is preferably a cylcarried,to within the vessel, where itishandled by winches. The shaft 76 has on itsinner end gear or toothedwheel 76 by which, through machinery within the vessel, itis revolved onits axis, so that the fan may be set at any desired angle, and made toserve for vertical as well as lateral steering and for other purposes.

The shaft 0 of the fan 0 is preferably cylindrical and hollow, to reduceits weight, is provided with suitable hearings on which it is mounted ona collar or muff to prevent its being displaced, and is connected withproper machinery within the vessel, and passes out through the side ofthe hull, where the fan 0 is secured in place.

inder through which the cable or chain c" is' In lieu of the simpleshaft 6 and the cable passing over pulleys arranged within the side ofthe hull, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 8, the fan (3 maybe mounted on ashaft, is, having a yoke or branching arms, k is, in which are securedpulley-wheels r and idlers r, for carrying the cable 6 by which the fanis operated. By this latter arrangement the cable ve"is not carried overthe vessel nor through the hull, but back through the shaft k, as shown,to the winches which handle the fan. The fans 0 are arranged on bothsides of the vessel, opposite to each other fore and aft within theextreme ends of the hull, and the fan-shaft it carries on its innerside'a connect ing gear by which it is revolved on its axis, and theentire series on both sides may be arranged and connected'by shaftinghaving endless screws thereonat intervals, or by any other train ofmeehanism,to be removed simultaneously.

In conjunction with the rudderblades h, the

fan 0 is employed for steering the vessel laterally, laterallydeflecting its course. They may also be used as sails for impelling thevessel forward, or they may be used for checking the speed of the vesselas well as for turning it around, as' on a pivot.

h is a long light finshaped rudder-blade, larger at one end than at theother, secured by the smaller end through a pivot-joint, 0, near thewaist. amidships, to the under side of the vessel, ranging along thenceon the under side of the hull, conforming thereto, to a verticallytransverse projecting frame, i, where the larger end, carrying gear orother wheels,t", is mounted in ways securedinhorizontal beams i formingthe top and bottom of framed] The rudder-blade h is a light metal frame,preferably of tubing, made sufficiently stout by bracing, covered withany light flexible material fire and water proof, the frame terminatingat the smaller end in a journal, and at the broader end terminating inbearings for wheels i, one at each corner.

an are steering cables or chains, made fast by one end to the outer endof the steering rudder l1, and passing over pulleys s s in theperpendicular beams i of the frame i, from whence it passes inboard,being directed over other pulley-wheels properly located at intervalsalong on the under side of the ship, as well as over the drums to thesteering-wheel or lever by which itis handled. The ways in thehorizontal beams form the segment ofan arc, and are provided withtrucks, either cogged or otherwise, or with ways i", on orin which thewheels t" on the upper and lower corner of the rudder-blade h move, sothat the rudder-blade Inn-loving on its pivoted center, 0, from side toside in the process of steering, may not be displaced, nor be thrown outof gear by high winds and adverse currents of air.

In the vertical sides of the frame i are placed suitable pulley orgrooved wheels, 8 s, over which the tiller or steering cables a a, that[extend inboard, pass and work. The frame '5 is braced longitudinally aswell as laterally, and is made a substantial part of the vessels frame,and should it'be necessary to do so, the rudder maybe intermediatelysupported by other projecting intervening frames nearer inboard.

A steering device may be adjusted at each end of the vessel; but adescription of one will serve for both.

In conj unetion with the side fans the rudderblade is employed forsteering aerial vessels laterally, and for ordinary use the rudder willserve all purposes.

It will be observed that the upper edge of the rudder-blade is made toconform with the outline of the under side of the hull, so thatair-currents acting upon the blade h are concentrated in the angleformed by the two, and made to exert more direct influence on the courseof the ship.

The idea of steering aerial vessels with eX- ternal attached rudder-blades is not wholly new with me, nor do I propose to claim the samebroadly, merely claiming my device and arrangement as shown. Thequestion that first suggests itself to the inquiring mind is, canvessels be successfully steered to the right and left through the air?So, too, this has been the subject of serious consideration by inventorsand aeronauts who have endeavored to direct the course of their unrulycrafts through the air, and experience has abundantly demonstrated thatas theship, the sails, the screws, and rudders in aerial vessels alloperate on one element, it will require the exertion of a more positiveforce to cause a deviation than when two or more elements, like air andwater, are involved. To steer the aerial vessel there must be directimpact by force, or such a positive diverging line formed (and possiblyboth) that the vessel will be forced to obey, otherwise the aeronautwill have no control of his craft. To overcome these embarrassments andget my ship under suitable control, I have multiplied my facilities forsteering. By ranging the long finshaped rudder along on the under sideof the tapering ends of the vessel at both ends, and making the rudderconform to the outline of the vessel, throwing both to the starboard orthe port side, (the curvature being so positive,) forming the arc of acircle, the cabin being the pivot, the tendency of the vessel will be totake that course. Should, however, the vessel refusctoobeytherudders(forinstance,therudders h) when they are thrown to the starboardside by throwing out a fan, 0, or a number of them, on the starboardside, the vessel will naturally be thrown in that direction. If,however, the vessel still disobeys, by adjusting the rear end screw totravel to the port side and the forward screw to travel to the starboardside the vessel will be forced around. Thus it will be seen the rudders,the side fans, and the end screws all contribute to deflect the courseof the vessel laterally, while, in the ICC lls

process of sailing,the fins b deflect the course of the vesselvertically, while the side screws 0 carry it forward 011 its course.

\Vhile I show in my drawings, and set out somewhat in detail in myspecification herewith, the general form, construction, and ar rangementof the body of an aerial ship, the method ofmounting and operating sidepropelling screws, the construction, mode of mounting,and method ofoperating side fins for deflecting the lateral course of an aerial ship,and the construction and mode of mounting and operating vertical centralscrews for raising and lowering the vesselvertieally,havingheretofoxe-to wit, November 8, 1883filed, and I nowhavepending under Serial Nos. 111,236, 111,237, 111,239, and 111,240,respectively, applications for patents covering these specitic features,I do so merely to show the relations of these several parts to eachother in making up a common whole, but with no pur pose of claiming herespecifically and in detail those features.

Having now fully described my invention, what I esteem as new, anddesire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. In vessels for aerial navigation, adjustable fans secured in thesides of the vessel at fixed points by knuckle-joints, and opened,closed, and otherwise handled through cables or chains passing to withinthe vessel by internallyarranged machinery, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

2. In vessels for aerial navigation, adj ust-* ble fans arranged atintervals along the sides of the ship, and attached by suitable-jointsto .a suitable fixed base, in combination with a laterally-adjustableend screw for laterally deflecting and changing the course of suchvessel, substantially as shown and described.

4. A fan or sail consisting of a frame of thin blades severally jointedor hinged to a suitable frame at common points on the sides of thevessel, and covered with thin flexible material, in combination withcables or chains attached to the fan and passing into the vessel andwith rudders at the bow and stern, substantially as shown and described.

5. In vessels for aerial navigation, long'finshaped rudder-bladessecured at the smaller ends by pivotal joints amidships to and rangedalong and madeto conform to the under side of the tapering ends of thevessel, the outer and larger ends extending to and resting in framessecured to, forming part of, and protruding from, the under side of thevessel, where they are secured and operated in ways for steering thevessel laterally, substantially as shown and described.

6. In vessels for aerial navigation, long finlike rudder-blades securedand made to conform to the tapering body, and extending along the underside toward the ends of the vessel, their outer ends arranged to movelaterally between or upon suitable guideways secured to the ships body,in combination with adjustable fans secured to the sides of the vesselfor the purpose of steering the latter, substantially as described.

7. In vessels for aerial navigation, long finshaped rudder-bladesarranged and by pivotal joints secured amidships to and ranged along andconforming to the under side of the tapering ends fore and aft, incombination with adj ustable end screws employed for laterallydeflecting and changing the course of the vessel, substantially as shownand described.

8. In vessels for aerial navigation, long fin-v shaped rudder-bladesarranged and by pivotal joints secured amidships to and ranged along andconforming to the under side of the tapering ends fore and aft to aframe protruding from the vessel, in combination with projecting frame2', carrying horizontal ways at top and bottom in which the wheels onthe outer endof the rudder have seats and move, vertical stanchionscarrying pulley-wheels arranged for supporting the rudders employed insteering the vessel s course laterally, and cables or chains attached tothe rudders passing over said pulleys to steering gear, substantially asshown and described.

9. Long tin-shaped tapering rudder-blades provided with ajournal-jointat one end, and carrying in suitable journals at the opposite endgearing-wheels, by which they are moved in their ways for steeringvessels for aerial navigation, arranged substantially as shown anddescribed.

10. Long fin-shaped tapering rudder-blades 71., provided at one end witha pivotal journaljoint, 0, by which they are secured in place, and atthe other with suitable wheels, t, by which they are moved in ways i,forming the segment of an arc in frame t, in combination with frame t,ways i, stanchions i, pulleywheels 8, steering-cables 07. n, and drum 8,for laterally steering vessels for aerial navigation, substantially asshown and described.

11. In vessels for aerial navigation, end propelling and steering screwsmounted between the end of the hull and a supporting-bracket on andactuated by a longitudinally-adjusted shaft intersected by a universaljoint, and secured in hearings in an adjustable carriage arranged inways in the end of the vessels hull, and a pendent bracket with swivelbearings, as shown, the whole constructed and arranged to be operated bymechanical power for propelling and laterally changing the course ofsuch vessels, substantially as shown and described.

12. In vessels for aerial navigation, the combination of end screws, f,longitudinally-arranged horizontal shaft f, universal joints f, journalto, movable carriage p, the latter having racked gear-bands '0 'v, andtongues o o, pinions p, and ways 0 in aperture q, and bracket-supportsf,for propelling and laterally steering vessels for aerial navigation,substantially as shown and described.

13. In vessels for aerial navigation, the combination oflaterally-adjustable end screw, f, mounted in shifting ways, side fans,0, and adjustable side screw, 0, for propelling and laterally deflectingand changing the course of the vessel, substantially as and in themanner described.

14. In vessels for aerial navigation, the combination of side fans, 0,fin-shaped rudderblades h, and laterally-adjustable end screws securedand operated, as shown, for laterally deflecting and changing the courseof vessels for aerial navigation, substantially as and in the mannerdescribed.

15. In vessels for aerial navigation, the combination of adjustable sidefans for laterally deflecting, and side adjustable fins, Z), forverticallydeflecting, the course of vessels for aerial navigation,substantially as shown and described.

16. In combination, in vessels for aerial navigation, side fans, 0,fin-shaped rudder h, and laterally-adj ustable end screw, f, forchanging the vessels course laterally, side propelling and end screwsfor propelling the vessel forward, and adjustable side fins, b, fordeflecting. the vessels course vertically in the process of navigatingand handling vessels for aerial navigation, substantially as shown anddescribed. 1

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE F. FALCONNET.

\Vitnessesz GEO. M. FLETCHER, W. DJTALBOT.

